Snowboard binding system

ABSTRACT

A snowboard binding system includes a boot unit and a binding unit. The boot unit has a boot cradle that has straps that are secured to a snowboard boot and lugs that extend from the sides of the cradle. The binding unit has retainers that releasably engage the lugs of the boot unit. The retainer includes a lever that has a cam and a lever handle and a compression member. When the boot unit is inserted into the binding unit, the lever is actuated to lock the compression member against the lug and securely fasten the boot and boot unit to the board.

BACKGROUND

A snowboard is a board ridden to descend a snow-covered slope. The riderwears snowboard boots that are bound to the board with bindings.Snowboards are constructed with a laminated materials and the snowboardshave steel edges. A variety of snowboards exist to suit specific bodytypes and riding preferences.

Bindings are attached to the snowboard deck and function to hold theriders boot in place on the board. There are several different types ofbindings that are currently available. Strap-in binding use straps tosecure the boot to a base plate and high back. Strap-in bindingstypically use two buckle straps. One strap across the top of the toearea and a second strap across the ankle area. The can be tightlyratcheted closed for a tight fit which improves the rider control of theboard. Another type of binding is the step-in binding which have amechanism that engages a boot plate that is attached to the bottom ofthe boot and may extend across the width of the boot.

When snowboarding at a ski resort, the boarders generally have torelease one boot in order to get on and off chair lifts. Once at the topof the run, the boarders must then reattach the boot to the binding.With step-in bindings, the boarder can simply step into the bindingwhile standing. With strap-in bindings the boarder must sit in the snowand bend over to secure the straps.

Snowboard bindings, unlike ski bindings, do not automatically releaseupon impact or after falling over. Ski bindings are designed to protectskiers from injuries (particularly to the knee) caused by skis pulled indifferent directions. Automatic boot release is not required insnowboarding because the boarder's legs are fixed in a static positionand twisting of the knee joint cannot occur to the same extent asskiing. This lack of an automatic release reduces the prospect of aboard hurtling downhill without the boarder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a snowboard binding that includes a bindingunit and a boot unit. In an embodiment, the binding unit includesretainers that releasably couple to the boot unit. The binding unitincludes compression members that apply downward pressure and horizontalpressure to the boot unit that prevents movement between the boot unitand the binding unit. The boot unit includes a boot cradle and straps tosecure the boot unit to the snowboard boots. Lugs are elongatestructures that are attached to the sides of the boot cradle and provideconnection surfaces for the binding unit. The binding unit includes tworetainers which are attached to a base plate. The binding unit may alsoinclude a high back. The retainers of the binding unit can engage andcompress the lugs of the boot unit towards the base plate of the bindingunit. In an embodiment, the binding may have one fixed retainer and onecompressible/releasable retainer. In other embodiments, the binding unitmay include two compressible retainers.

The compression of the lugs against the binding unit prevents horizontalmovement and improves the boot to board connection. To further enhancethe connection between the binding and boot units, the bottoms of thelugs may be textured and the corresponding surfaces on the base plate ofthe binding unit may also be textured. The compression of the texturedsurfaces against each other improves the friction and preventshorizontal movement. In addition to texturing, the interface between theboot unit and the binding unit can have features that improve theconnection. For example, the boot unit can have concical protrusionsthat engage holes in the binding unit. As the boot unit is compressedinto the binding unit, the conical protrusions are pressed into theholes for a secure engagement that resists horizontal movement.

To use the system, the boarder attaches the boot units to the snowboardboots with the straps. The boarder then steps into the binding units andactuates the retainers by pressing the levers to compress the lugsagainst the binding unit. This lug compression secures the boots and theboot units to the binding units and board. When fully actuated, the bootunit is locked to the binding unit and can only be released by actuatingthe lever to release the lugs. After the board is attached to the boots,the boarder can travel down the slope. When the boarder gets tochairlift, one of the boots is released by actuating a lever to releasethe boot unit from the binding unit. The free foot allows thesnowboarder to get onto the chairlift. After the boarder is back at thetop of the slope, the boot and boot unit are placed back in the bindingunit and the lever is actuated to lock the boot unit to the bindingunit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a base unit of the snowboard binding;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a base unit of the snowboard binding;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a retainer in the open position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a retainer in a partially closedposition;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a retainer in a fully closedposition;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a retainer in a fully closed position;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a boot unit;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a boot unit;

FIG. 9 illustrates bottom view of a boot sole having a recess area;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a boot having a recess area;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the boot unit above the bindingunit;

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the boot unit partially engaged withthe binding unit;

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of the boot unit locked into thebinding unit;

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the boot unit with a high back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive snowboard binding includes a base unit and a separate bootunit. For improved detail, only a single binding is shown, rather thanthe two bindings that are required for a snowboard. With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the base unit 101 includes a base plate 105, a fixedretainer 109 attached to one side of the base plate 105 and a releasableretainer 111 attached to the opposite side of the base plate 105. Thebase plate 105 can be a planar structure that is made of metal such asaluminum, stainless steel, titanium, etc. or a high strength plasticthat may be reinforced with glass, carbon or other fibers. The baseplate 105 is fastened to the snowboard with screws that engage threadsmounted in the board.

In an embodiment, the base plate 105 may have a circular hole that isslightly smaller in diameter than a circular plate 107. The circularplate 107 is attached to the board and may have a flange or a taperededge that engates a corresponding surface around the hole circumferenceof the base plate 105. When the circular plate 107 is screwed to theboard, the hole is compressed against the board and the base plate 105is held securely in place. The angle of the base plate 105 is adjustedby loosening the screws in the circular plate 107 so that the angle ofthe base plate 105 can be adjusted. Once the base plate 105 is properlypositioned, the screws in the circular plate 107 are tightened to securethe base plate 105 to the board. Teeth may be formed in the bottomsurface of the circular plate 107 that engage teeth formed in a recessedupper surface of the circular hole in the base plate 105.

The binding can include a fixed retainer 109 and a releasable retainer111. The fixed retainer and the releasable retainer engage lugs attachedto the sides of the boot unit that extend out from the sides and runalong a portion of the length of the boot unit. The lugs and boot unitwill be described in more detail latter. The fixed retainer 109 may be ahorizontal bar or rod 121 that is mounted between two posts 123 that aresecured to the base plate 105. The rod 121 and posts 123 form anelongated rectangular or trapezoidal slot. In an embodiment, the fixedretainer 109 may include a spring or springs that allows the horizontalbar 121 to move or be deflected vertically. This spring force wouldapply a downward force upon the lug.

Although the fixed retainer is described as engaging a protruding lug,various other configurations would also be fully functional. Forexample, it would be possible to have a fixed retainer that had aprotruding member that engages a slot in the boot unit to hold the bootunit against the binding unit. Thus, either the binding unit or the bootunit can have a recess or a corresponding engagement feature.Alternatively, rather than an elongated lug, various other engagementfeature geometries can be utilized. The engagement feature can include aplurality of rods or angled protrusions. The features may be tapered sothat they allow for easy initial engagement and a tighter fit when theboot unit is pressed into the binding unit horizontally.

In an embodiment, the releasable retainer 111 includes a lever 131 whichmay be an elongated piece having a width. The lever 131 can have a cam137 on one end, a lever handle 139 on the opposite end and a pivot axisthat is closer to the cam 137 side of the lever 131 that spans thewidth. The lever 131 can be made of a strong metal or plastic materialand is attached to a spring 133. The spring 133 can be a curved rod thatcan resemble a sideways “D” shape. In other embodiments, the spring 133can have any other shape including a rectangular shape with roundedcorners. The spring 133 can be made of a strong elastic material such asmetal or a strong plastic such as carbon reinforced materials. The crosssection of the spring 133 may be a circular shape to facilitate lowfriction rotation of the lever 111 and the spring 133. The lever pivotcan be an indentation across the width of the lever 111 that allows thelever 111 to rotate. The center portion of the spring 133 is attached tothe lever 111 and the sides of the spring 133 curve down around theoutside of two posts 135 that are fastened to the base plate 105. Theends of the spring 133 may be curved inward so that they are axiallyaligned and facing each other and may engage holes in the outer surfacesof the posts 135. The coupling of the posts 135 and the spring 133function as a hinge that allows the spring 133 to rotate.

Details of an embodiment of the releasable retainer 111 are shown inFIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 which illustrate different positions for thereleasable retainer 111 components. A compression member 141 is mountedbetween the posts 135 and rotates about a hinge 145 and allows the bootunit to be locked or released from the board. When the compressionmember 141 is rotated down with the boot unit in place, it engages a lugon the boot unit and compresses the boot unit against the binding unit101 and may also provide horizontal pressure against the oppositeretainer. When rotated up, the compression member 141 is in the openposition and the boot unit can be released from the binding unit. Thecompression member 141 has an upper surface 143 that can be planar, arotational axis and a lower compression surface. The upper surface 143slides against the cam 137 and can include a hard low friction slidingmaterial such as graphite, peek, teflon or any other low frictionmaterial that is fastened to the upper surface with adhesives and/ormechanical fasteners. In an alternative embodiment, the apex of the cam137 can be a cylindrical roller that rolls against the upper surface 143of the compression member 141 to actuate the releasable compressionmember 111.

The compression member 141 rotates about the rotational axis 145 whichcan be a hole that runs through the compression member 141. In thisembodiment, a rod 147 may be placed through the hole 145 and act as anaxle. The ends of the rod 147 may be coupled to holes or counter boresin the inner surfaces of the two posts 135. Smaller lift springs may beused to rotate the compression member 141 up so that when the lever 131is released, the compression member 141 will open. In an embodiment, thelift spring can be coil springs that are mounted around the axle rod 147and fits within vertical slots in the compression member 141. The endsof the coil springs extend outward with one end resting against the baseplate 105 and the other end engaging the compression member 141. Inother embodiments, the spring or springs used to lift the compressionmember can be compression springs, torsion springs, elastic materials,or any other elastic compression mechanism.

In addition to the other described components, the base unit 105 canalso include a high back 113 which provides support for the the heel andthe calf area of the boarder's leg. This allows for better heel sidecontrol of the snowboard. The high back 113 is a curved structure thathas a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. The bottom ofthe high back 113 is coupled to the base plate 105. In an embodiment,the angle of the high back 113 is adjustable so that the rider canadjust the angle relative to the base plate 105. In the adjustableembodiment, the high back 113 may have a lower loop that engages twopivot points in the high back 113. An adjustment mechanism may have anadjustable spacer that controls the position of the high back 113relative to the lower loop. With a longer spacer, the high back has moreforward lean and with a shorter spacer, the high back 113 is moreupright.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the actuation of the releasableretainer 111 is illustrated. The rotation of the compression member 141is controlled by the lever 131. FIG. 3 shows the releasable retainer 111in the open position, the lever 131 is oriented with the lever handle139 up and the spring is rotated to the left side of the posts 135. Thisallows the compression member 141 to rotate up which would allow thelugs in the boot unit to be released. A downward force is applied to thehandle 139 of the lever 131 and is rotated down. As shown in FIG. 4, thecam portion 137 of the lever 131 engages the upper surface 143 of thecompression member 141 causing it to partially close. Additional forceis applied to the lever handle 139. The cam 137 contact point is to theleft of the spring 133 and the spring 133 rotates into a more uprightposition.

In FIG. 5, the lever 131 is rotated into the locked position with thestop 151 resting against the upper surface 143 of the compression member141. In the locked position, the spring 133 is vertically oriented withthe spring 133 crossing between the cam 137 contact point and the stop151 contact point. The spring 133 may deflect at the center causing thelever 131 to be compressed against the upper surface 143 of thecompression member 141. This compression holds the lever 131 against thecompression member 141 and keeps the lever 131 in the locked positionwithout any force being applied to the lever handle 139. To release thereleasable retainer 111, the user rotates the lever handle 131 byapplying an upward force on the lever handle 139. Once contact point ofthe cam 137 moves to the left of the spring 133 as shown in FIG. 4, themechanism will tend to open by the relaxing the deflection of the spring133. Additional force may be required to return the lever 131 to thevertical position to overcome internal friction forces and fully openthe releasable compression member 111.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of the boot unit 201 which has aboot cradle 231, a heel loop 233, a foot strap 241 and an ankle strap243. The boot cradle 231 has a base 231, and side walls 237 that closelyengage the sole and sides of the boot and the heel loop 233 engages theback of the boot. Lugs 251 are attached to the side walls 237 of theboot cradle 231 and extend along the sides of the cradle 231.

As discussed above, although the figures include illustrations of lugsthat are elongated features that have a rectangular cross section,various other geometries are possible. The protruding features can bepart of the binding unit and a corresponding slot may be part of theboot unit or even the snowboard boot itself. These engagement featurescan include many different geometries such as a plurality of rods,tapered features, etc.

The cradle 231 may be a thin material such as metal, plastic or fiberreinforced composite such as carbon fiber bound together with an epoxyresin. The bottom of the boot cradle 231 can be a planar surface oralternatively, it can have a textured or three dimensional surface. Thistexturing may improve traction on the snow. The straps are fastened tothe side walls or base of the cradle such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc.The elongate straps 235, 243 are made from a flexible material such asplastic, fiber webbing or other flexible materials that are strong intension. Pads may be attached to the straps 235, 243 to provide somecushioning or increased surface area against the boot.

The lugs 251 of the boot unit 201 engage the fixed retainer 109 and thereleasable retainer 111. In an embodiment, the lugs 251 are elongatepieces of metal that have a horizontal surface that extends away fromthe cradle 231. The length of the lugs 251 corresponds to the length ofthe retainer 109, 111 slots which are the distances between the matchingposts 123, 135. The lugs 251 should fit snugly between the posts 123,135 of the retainers 109, 111 to prevent horizontal movement. Thedownward force applied to the lugs 251 hold the boot unit 201 to thebinding unit 101. Thus, it is very important for the lugs 251 to be verysecurely fastened to the cradle 231. In an embodiment, the lugs 251 aremade of a strong metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel,titanium, magnesium or a high strength composite material such as carbonfiber. The cross section of the lugs 251 can be L shaped with thevertical portion providing a surface to secure the lug to the cradle 231and the horizontal portion providing a compression surface for theretainers 109, 111. The lugs 251 can be attached to the cradle 231 withany fastener and/or adhesive. In other embodiments, the lugs 251 areintegrally formed with the cradle 231.

The bottom surface of the lugs 251 may be flush with the bottom of bootunit 201 or alternatively, the lugs 251 may be placed slightly above thebottom of the boot unit 201. As discussed, the fixed retainer 109 andreleasable retainer 111 can apply a downward force against the lugs 251.If the bottom of the lug 251 is flush with the bottom of the boot unit201, the compressive forces will only be applied to the lugs 251.

In an embodiment, the bottom of the lugs 251 and the areas of thebinding plate 105 that correspond to the bottom of the lugs 251 may betextured. This texturing can provide improved friction between the bootunit 201 and the binding unit 101 to prevent relative movement. If thelugs 251 are above the lower surface of the boot unit 201, thecompressive forces are transferred to the cradle 231 which is compressedagainst the binding unit 101. Some of the compressive forces may also betransferred to the straps 241, 243 which force the bottom of the bootagainst the board and binding unit 101.

In an embodiment, the sole of the boot may be designed to engage theboot cradle for an improved coupling. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10,the boot 301 is shown with an indented section 351 that matches thebottom of cradle 231. This indented section 351 is off set from both toesection 349 and the heel section 353. The indented section 351 providesa coupling between the cradle 201 and the boot 301 that preventshorizontal sliding. Although a simple recessed pattern is shown, variousother engagement patterns are possible. For example, in alternativeembodiments, the indented section 351 of the boot sole may have tractionprotrusions that would engage corresponding holes in the boot cradleplate 231. The boot unit 201 might be attached to the boot 301 once andcan remain on the boot 301 for the duration of the day. Alternatively,the boot unit 201 can be removed to allow the boarder to do some longdistance hiking. This option may be appealing to boarders who wish to dosome back country boarding.

The engagement of the boot unit 201 with the binding unit 101 isillustrated with reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. With reference toFIG. 11, the boot unit 201 is attached to the boarders boot 301 and theboarder adjusts his or her leg so that one of the lugs 251 is placedinto the fixed retainer 109. The releasable retainer 111 is in theopened position with the lever 131 and the compression member 141 bothrotated up. With reference to FIG. 12, the boarder inserts the oppositelug 251 into the releasable retainer 111. Ideally, the boot unit 201 canfreely fall into the binding unit 101, however if there is snow in thebinding unit 101, the boarder can apply weight to the boot 301 and thelever 131 can be pressed down to close the compression member 141. Thismovement presses against the lug 251 and moves the boot unit 201 downinto the binding unit 101. As shown in FIG. 13, when the boot unit 201is in the binding unit 101, the lever 131 can be fully depressed whichlocks the compression member 141 against the lug 251 to securely holdthe boot 301 against the board. These steps are reversed to release theboot unit 201 from the binding unit 101.

Although the present invention has been described in a specificembodiment, various modifications can be applied. For example, while thebinding system is shown in FIG. 1 as having a fixed retainer 109 and areleasable retainer 111, it is possible to have two releasable retainers111. This configuration may be useful if additional compression force ofthe boot unit 201 against the binding unit 101 is desirable. In anotherembodiment, the fixed retainer 109 may allow the cross bar 121 to movevertically with opposition from a compressed spring. Vertical slots maybe formed in the posts 123 and springs may be mounted in the posts sothat the cross bar 121 may be normally pressed against the lower end ofthe slot. In this embodiment, the initial spacing of the cross bar 109is lower than the upper surface of the corresponding lug 251 on the bootunit 201. An angled insertion of the boot unit 201 places the lug 251below the cross bar 121 and when the boot unit 201 is flattened relativeto the binding unit 101, the lever action of the boot unit 201 pushesthe lug 251 up against the cross bar 121 producing compression of thelug 251 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

The binding unit 101 has been shown as having a high back 113. In anembodiment, the high back 113 is coupled to the boot unit 201 and isremoved from the binding unit 101. This has the benefit of only havingrelatively flat binding components including the base plate 105 andretainers 109, 111, permanently attached to the board. By removing thehigh back 113 from the binding unit 101, the board requires much lessstorage space and can be more easily transported as well. Currently mostcar racks for snowboards have spacers that allow for the high backs 113.Rather than attaching the high back to the binding unit 101, the highback 113 can be omitted completely. This removal of the high back 113may be acceptable for boots that do not require rear support such ashard boots. Alternatively, the high back 113 can be attached to the bootunit 201 as shown in FIG. 14. Because the inventive snowboard bindingsystem securely attaches the boot unit 201 to the binding unit 101, andthe high back 113 can be securely attached to the boot unit 201, thereis no loss of performance in this configuration.

Optimum control of the board requires a very positive connection betweenthe boot and the board. One of the important features is the ability ofthe inventive binding to compress the boot unit against the binding unitto prevent relative movement. This results in an improved connectionbetween the boot and the board and prevents relative horizontalmovement. In addition to the compression to prevent relative movement,other mechanisms can improve the boot to binding connection.

In an embodiment, the boots, boot units and binding units may havefeatures that further improve the coupling. The bottom of the boots andthe boot units may include features that engage each other to preventmovement. For example, the boot and/or boot unit can have taperedprotrusions that engage holes in the binding unit. The protrusions alsoprovide improve traction while the boot unit is disengaged from thebinding unit. When the boot unit is placed into the binding unit, theprotrusions can engage corresponding holes in the binding unit oralternatively, protrusion extending from the binding unit can engagesholes in the boot or boot unit. The compression of the boot unit againstthe binding unit can produce a very secure fit between the units. Thecompression may also remove any snow that may have gotten between theunits.

Any movement between the boot unit and the binding unit can result inreduced control of the board. This movement problem is common in step intype binding which horizontal bars that extend from a plate mounted tothe sole of the snowboard boot. Some spacing is required so that bindingwill be functional if some particulates are trapped between the bindingand the boot. When the boarder steps into the binding, a latch mechanismengages the bar to restrict movement, but does not provide any force orcompression against the bar. Thus, the boot is able to move in a limitedrange relative to the board. This movement range increases as thecoupling components of the binding system are worn down. Becausesnowboarding relies upon a positive coupling, the movement between thebinding and the boot results in reduced performance.

It will be understood that although the present invention has beendescribed with reference to particular embodiments, additions, deletionsand changes could be made to these embodiments, without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. For example, the described snowboardbinding system can be used for any other type of application thatrequires boots to be releasably fastened to a board. Specificapplications may include surfboards, kiteboards, windsurfers, sandsurfboards, water skies, wake boards, skateboards, etc.

1. A snowboard binding comprising: a boot unit for holding a snowboardboot comprising: a boot plate having an upper surface that engages thesole of the snowboard boot; a foot strap that is coupled to the soleplate and releasably secures the snowboard boot to the boot plate; aheel loop coupled on one end of the boot plate that extends around aheel portion of the snowboard boot; a angle strap that is coupled to theheel loop and releasably secures the snowboard boot to the heel loop;and a first elongated lug and a second elongated lug that are mounted onopposite sides of the sole plate and aligned along the length of thesole plate, wherein the first lug and the second lug have planar uppersurfaces; a binding unit having a baseplate having a bottom surface thatis attached to a snowboard; a fixed retention member that is attached toone side of the baseplate; and a releasable cam lock attached to asecond side of the baseplate opposite the fixed retention membercomprising: a clamping member that rotates about a rod coupled to thebase plate, a spring member coupled to the base plate that is coupled toa cam at one end and a lever at the opposite end; wherein when the bootunit is placed in the binding unit, the first elongated lug is insertedinto the fixed retention member and the second lug engages thereleasable cam lock, when the lever is actuated, the cam rotates aboutthe spring member and compressing the second lug between the clampingmember and the baseplate.
 2. The snowboard binding of claim 1 whereinthe spring member is an elongate metal rod having a straight sectionthat is coupled to the cam and two curved sections that are coupled tothe baseplate.
 3. The snowboard binding of claim 1 wherein the cam has acurved section and a stop that engages the clamping member to stop therotation of the cam and the lever.
 4. The snowboard binding of claim 3wherein the clamping member includes a planar upper surface that is madeof a low friction material that allows the curved section of the cam toslide against the upper surface of the clamping member.
 5. The snowboardbinding of claim 1 wherein the spring member rotates about the baseplate and the cam.
 6. The snowboard binding of claim 1 wherein thereleasable cam lock includes a first bracket and a second bracket thatare coupled to the baseplate, a pivot rod mounted between the firstbracket and the second bracket that is coupled to the clamping member.7. The snowboard binding of claim 6 wherein the spring member is coupledto the first bracket and the second bracket.
 8. The snowboard binding ofclaim 6 wherein the releasable cam lock includes a spring that iscompressed when the clamping member is rotated towards the baseplate. 9.The snowboard binding of claim 1 further comprising: a high back havinga concave surface that engages the back of the snowboard boot that iscoupled to the base plate.
 10. The snowboard binding of claim 1 furthercomprising: a high back having a concave surface that engages the backof the snowboard boot that is coupled to the boot unit.
 11. A snowboardbinding system comprising: a boot unit for holding a boot comprising: asole plate having an upper surface that engages the sole of the boot, alower surface and a thickness; a foot strap that is coupled to the soleplate and releasably secures the boot to the sole plate; a heel loopcoupled on one end of the sole plate that extends around a heel portionof the boot; an angle strap that is coupled to the heel loop andreleasably secures the boot to the heel loop; and a first elongated lugand a second elongated lug that are mounted on opposite sides of thesole plate and aligned along the length of the sole plate, wherein thefirst lug and the second lug have planar upper surfaces; a binding unithaving a baseplate having a bottom surface that is attached to asnowboard; a fixed retention member that is attached to one side of thebaseplate; and a releasable cam lock attached to a second side of thebaseplate opposite the fixed retention member comprising: a clampingmember that rotates about a rod coupled to the base plate, a springmember coupled to the base plate that is coupled to a cam at one end anda lever at the opposite end; wherein the snowboard boot has a sole withan toe section, a heel section and a midsection that is recessed intothe sole by the distance that is greater than or equal to the thicknessof the plate of the boot unit and wherein the sole plate of the bootunit is placed in the recessed section of the boot sole, the foot strapis secured around the toe section and the ankle strap is secured aroundthe heel section of the boot, the boot unit is placed in the bindingunit by inserting the first elongated lug into the fixed retentionmember and inserting the second lug into the releasable cam lock,actuating the lever to rotate the cam that rotates about the springmember and compressing the second lug between the clamping member andthe baseplate.
 12. The snowboard binding of claim 11 wherein the springmember is an elongate metal rod having a straight section that iscoupled to the cam and two curved sections that are coupled to thebaseplate.
 13. The snowboard binding of claim 11 wherein the cam has acurved section and a stop that engages the clamping member to stop therotation of the cam and the lever.
 14. The snowboard binding of claim 13wherein the clamping member includes a planar upper surface that is madeof a low friction material that allows the curved section of the cam toslide against the upper surface of the clamping member.
 15. Thesnowboard binding of claim 11 wherein the spring member rotates aboutthe base plate and the cam.
 16. The snowboard binding of claim 11wherein the releasable cam lock includes a first bracket and a secondbracket that are coupled to the baseplate, a pivot rod mounted betweenthe first bracket and the second bracket that is coupled to the clampingmember.
 17. The snowboard binding of claim 16 wherein the spring memberis coupled to the first bracket and the second bracket.
 18. Thesnowboard binding of claim 16 wherein the releasable cam lock includes aspring that is deflected when the clamping member is rotated towards thebaseplate.
 19. The snowboard binding of claim 11 further comprising: ahigh back having a concave surface that engages the back of thesnowboard boot that is coupled to the base plate.
 20. A binding systemcomprising: a boot unit for holding a boot comprising: a sole platehaving an upper surface that engages the sole of the boot, a lowersurface and a thickness; and a first engagement feature and a secondengagement feature that are mounted on opposite sides of the sole plateand aligned along the length of the sole plate; a binding unit having abaseplate having a bottom surface that is attached to a structure; afixed retention member that is attached to one side of the baseplate;and a releasable cam lock attached to a second side of the baseplateopposite the fixed retention member comprising: a clamping member thatrotates about a rod coupled to the base plate, a spring member coupledto the base plate that is coupled to a cam at one end and a lever at theopposite end; wherein the sole plate of the boot unit is secured aroundthe boot, the boot unit is placed in the binding unit by coupling thefirst engagement feature with the fixed retention member and insertingthe second engagement feature into the releasable cam lock, actuatingthe lever to rotate the cam that rotates about the spring member andcompressing the second lug between the clamping member and thebaseplate.